Fluorescence screening of tartaric acid-derived azamacrocycles synthesized via sequential hydroformylation/reductive amination as potential ligands for asymmetric catalysis

Azamacrocycles containing a tartaric acid-derived unit and aryl units were synthesized via rhodium-catalyzed hydroformylation while the subsequent reductive amination was carried out in a tandem or stepwise fashion. Upon fluorescence emission experiments, some of the macrocycles showed chelating affinities toward transition metals such as zinc or rhodium.